WHAT WORKS IN EDUCATION The George Lucas Educational Foundation

Log In

We share evidence-based K-12 learning strategies that empower you to improve education.

Featured:

More School Time, Well Spent, Boosts Academic Achievement and Engagement at Edwards Middle School

high school girls in a step dancing class

Featured:

Five Keys to Successful Social and Emotional Learning

Featured:

How to Thank a Teacher

Blogs on Biology

More Blogs on BiologyRSS

PBL Course Development: Collaboration Among Colleagues

Jayesh RaoApril 24, 2013

Tags Biology, Curriculum, Professional Development, Project-Based Learning, High (9-12)

At Sammamish High School, we're developing and implementing a comprehensive problem-based learning program for all of our students. Working closely with my peers during this process has become one of the highlights of my career as an educator. These last two years I've been granted (literally and figuratively) the space and time to exchange ideas, learn from others and feel the satisfaction of knowing that I grow as a professional with each exchange. I have two very different teacher collaboration experiences to relate.

Five-Minute Film Festival: Celebrate World Water Day

Amy Erin Borovoy (aka VideoAmy)March 22, 2013

Tags Biology, Environmental Education, Science

Today is World Water Day. We're mostly made of it -- about 60% of the human body is water. We need a lot of it -- you can't survive more than a week without it. And we've got a finite supply -- only a fraction of the water on our planet is drinkable. Yet many of us take it for granted.

Green STEM Initiatives Spark Innovative Learning

Suzie BossFebruary 11, 2013

Tags Biology, All Grades, Science

Today marks the birthday of Thomas Edison, that American icon of innovation. At a time when the U.S. is facing a critical shortage of students interested in science, technology, engineering, and math, it's worth remembering how Edison built a pipeline of thinkers who tackled the STEM challenges of their time.

A Neurologist Makes the Case for Teaching Teachers About the Brain

Judy Willis MDJuly 27, 2012

Tags Biology, Brain Research, Mental Health, Professional Development, Teacher Development

"Neuroscience should be required for all students [of education] . . . to familiarize them with the orienting concepts [of] the field, the culture of scientific inquiry, and the special demands of what qualifies as scientifically based education research." - Eisenhart & DeHaan, 2005

Do you recall some of your college professors who knew their subject matter but had zero teaching skills? Staying awake in their one-way-directed lecture classes required Herculean strength (or lots of coffee). They were never trained to develop the skillset of engagement strategies.

The Connected Science Teacher

Eric BrunsellJuly 2, 2012

Tags Biology, New Teachers, Professional Learning Network (PLN), , Teacher Development, Chemistry, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), Science

It's summertime: time to relax, refresh and get connected. Joining an online community of science teachers is a great way to find resources, inspiration and like-minded colleagues to collaborate with as you re-tool your courses for the next school year. The list below is a good starting point to find a community or two that meets your needs. However, the list is not exhaustive. Use the comment section to share any online groups or communities that you find valuable!

Adolescents, the Wilderness, and Schools

Mark PhillipsMay 14, 2012

Tags Biology, Expeditionary Learning, Integrated Studies, Place-Based Learning, Project-Based Learning, , Travel, All Grades, English Language Arts, Geography, History, Physical Education, Science, Visual Arts

Among the highlights of the two weeks my wife and I recently spent exploring Bryce, Zion and other wilderness wonders of the Southwest, was watching a beaming little girl, about six or seven years old, get sworn in as a Junior Ranger by a National Park Ranger. That moment capsulized all the moments during the trip when we watched kids of all ages drinking in the trails and vistas. We were continually struck by how many happy, engaged kids we saw. This wilderness experience was clearly enriching for them and for their families. At the same time, it reminded me about the relative absence of these experiences from the lives of most kids, and about how little of this connection between children and the wilderness is cultivated by most schools.

Ten Websites for Science Teachers

Eric BrunsellFebruary 7, 2012

Tags Biology, Curriculum, Online Learning, Open Education Resources, Project-Based Learning, Technology Integration, Chemistry, Science

We all know that the web is full of excellent web resources for science teachers and students. However, unless you live on the web, finding the best websites can become quite a challenge. This isn't a "Top Ten" list -- instead, it is a list of websites that I either use on a regular basis or just find interesting. From teaching resources for the nature of science and authentic field journals to wacky videos about numbers, I am sure that you will find something in the following list the works for you! Please share your favorite science web resources in the comment section!

Twelve Ideas for Teaching with QR Codes

Andrew MillerDecember 5, 2011

Tags Biology, Classroom Technology, Lesson Plans, Project-Based Learning, Student Engagement, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), English Language Arts, Science, World Language Learning

As mobile learning becomes more and more prevalent, we must find effective ways to leverage mobile tools in the classroom.

Coming Soon to a School Near You: New Science Standards

Eric BrunsellNovember 9, 2011

Tags Biology, Education Reform, Chemistry, All Grades, Science

As school districts across the country are working diligently to unpack and implement the Common Core Standards for Mathematics and English Language Arts, another initiative has been steadily progressing. The initial public draft of the Next Generation Science Education Standards will be released in a few months.

Game-Based Learning Units for the Everyday Teacher

Andrew MillerSeptember 26, 2011

Tags Biology, Brain Research, Game-Based Learning, Teacher Development, Technology Integration, Chemistry, Drama, All Grades, English Language Arts, Geography, History, Math, Music, Physical Education, Science, Visual Arts, World Language Learning

Game-based learning (GBL) is getting a lot press. It is an innovative practice that is working to engage kids in learning important 21st century skills and content. Dr. Judy Willis in a previous post wrote about the neurological benefits and rationale around using games for learning. She also gives tips about using the game model in the classroom. James Paul Gee has long been a champion for game-based learning in speeches, blogs, and books. Quest to Learn, located in New York City, infuses technology with game-based learning, where entire units utilize missions, boss levels, and the like for learning important standards. Here is the next step: taking these great rationales and examples and making it work for the everyday teacher.